Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/620988
22 FOURTIME Olympic gold med- allist and 2012 Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins says he is enjoying life back on the track so much he regrets making retire- ment plans. Wiggins announced he would end his career in 2016 with the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, when he will be 36, his crowning glory – should he qualify for the Great Britain team. The former Team Sky rider has shown he still has the pace on the track by smashing the hour record, and he says the change away from road racing has re-invigorated him. "I'm hoping to race until Christ- mas [2016] and see the year out, just because I have enjoyed the track so much in the last couple of months that I don't want to stop," he told Sky Sports News. "I wish I hadn't said I'm going to retire. "The changing of the goals helps keep the motivation fresh. Had I been training to win the Tour de France for 15 years, going out five, six, seven hours a day on the road, I would have retired years ago. But because I keep changing the event, it's almost like starting over again." When he does eventually exit the sport, Wiggins believes he will be leaving cycling in a better state than when he started. He added: "I think it's in a bet- ter place than it has ever been. You have got Team Sky leading the way on a professional front. They are quite open and have done every- thing possible on an anti-doping level. "Other than that, the sport, com- pared to 10 years ago, is worlds apart. It has changed dramatically. We don't have the culture now, we don't have the team involvement [in doping] any more. "People always push the bounda- ries, especially when the rewards are so high financially. The sys- tems are in place now to catch them; I think that's the difference now." maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 30 DECEMBER 2015 Sport FOOTBALL CYCLING 22 Sport Former Newcastle goalkeeper Pavel Srnicek dies, aged 47 Former Newcastle goalkeeper Pavel Srnicek has died following a cardiac arrest THE 47-year-old had been in an induced coma in the Czech Re- public since collapsing while out jogging on December 20. His agent, Steve Wraith, said in a statement: "It is with deep sadness that I have to announce the pass- ing of former Newcastle United player Pavel Srnicek." Srnicek made 150 appearances for Newcastle between 1991 and 1998 and went on to have spells with Sheffield Wednesday, Port- smouth and West Ham before re- turning to St James' Park in 2006. His release the following year brought an end to his playing ca- reer but he remained in the game and was working as goalkeeping coach at Sparta Prague when he collapsed. The statement continued: "Pavel suffered a cardiac arrest before the Christmas period in his home country and had been in an in- duced coma in hospital with his close family around his bedside. "Despite the best medical atten- tion the final brain scans on Mon- day showed irreversible damage and the decision had to be taken to switch off the life support ma- chine. Pav passed away on the af- ternoon of Tuesday, December 29 2015 with his family by his side. "Pavel, the goalkeeping coach at Sparta Prague, had recently been on a whistle-stop tour of Tyneside to promote his autobiography, 'Pavel Is A Geordie', something that he was very proud of. "My final conversation with him was about getting the entertain- ers team back together one more time for charity next year as it will be 20 years since that Newcas- tle team almost won the Premier League. "We will make that happen and celebrate this great man's life to- gether." Tributes quickly began to pour in for Srnicek, one of Newcastle's best loved recent characters. Alan Shearer wrote on Twit- ter: "So very, very sad to lose my friend and former teammate @ PavelSrnicekUK My thoughts are with his family at this awful time. #NUFC #RIPPavel" Fellow goalkeeper Peter Sch- meichel said: "It is with incredible sadness that I've have learned that Pavel Srnicek has died. A gentle- man and a great sportsman. RIP my friend" Newcastle fans sang their sup- port for Srnicek during the Box- ing Day clash with Everton at the request of the Czech's family. The club announced the news on their Twitter feed, saying: "It is with immense sadness that we confirm the passing of former #NUFC goalkeeper Pavel Srnicek today. "Our deepest condolences go to Pavel's family, many friends, former colleagues and supporters at this very difficult time." Long-serving former Toon keep- er Steve Harper was a team-mate of Srnicek and he wrote: "A truly beautiful soul has left this world far too early!! Thank you so much for everything you did for me Pav." Srnicek was born in Ostrava, beginning his senior career with Banik Ostrava, and he was capped 49 times by the Czech Republic. In a tribute to Srnicek on their website, Sparta Prague said: "We will never forget you, Pavel!" Pavel Srnicek during his successful spell at Newcastle United Wiggins regrets retirement announcement Bradley Wiggins regrets his retirement announcement as he targets a fifth Olympic track gold medal in Rio de Janeiro Sir Bradley Wiggins will retire from cycling at the end of 2016 Wiggins wants to win gold in the team pursuit at next summer's Olympic Games